Harvest - 4.1 (V,L,A,T) (Patreon)

The moment Donovan touched down and relaxed his straining wings, a pair of foxes scrabbled their way out of the bags they had been carried in. One, the ethereally sky blue Tricks, hopped straight to the ground and stretched out with a great yawn. Gwen, on the other hand, nuzzled her leg softly before crawling out into Vivi's arms.

It had surprised both of them, herself and Lorna, the first time Gwen had turned into her fox form. In one moment Vivi had been holding onto Gwen, pinning her down and tickling her and getting to enjoy the way she laughed, and the next her hands had been full of azure blue and silver fur.

Looking at her fox form that first time, properly taking in the way she wore a mane of white that framed her soft brown face and ears, the deep and rich colours, Vivi had been mesmerised. As she realised it was Gwen, it had struck her that of course Gwen would look so pretty even if she changed into an animal, into a fox. In what world would Gwen ever be ugly or unimpressive? She could turn into a pig, or a boar, or a bear and it would somehow be magnificent.

"Hi," Vivi said, scratching between Gwen's long ears and enjoying the way she purred, the way they flicked as she leaned into Vivi's touch, and just how small and precious Gwen could make herself.

"Off, Vivi." Lorna said, shaking her head with more than a little exasperation. "Don' needs a break from carrying us. You two can cuddle again after we make camp."

Vivi's cheeks exploded with warmth, but she still held on tight to Gwen as she undid the strap holding her to the saddle and slipped off. "Sorry." She apologised to Lorna, not meeting her gaze as she remained focused on the little fox she was cradling. "Cuddles later?" She whispered softly so that Lorna couldn't hear, and Gwen chirped softly.

She was starting to understand what the noises meant and was almost certain that was a yes.

Letting Gwen hop off to the ground she twirled in a small circle, and suddenly Vivi's best friend girlfriend stood before her, smiling up at her in a way that made her heart flutter. Gwen took her hand for a moment and squeezed it gently.

"I'll sort out the fire and food, you set up the tents?" Gwen asked, and before Vivi even processed what she'd said, she nodded her agreement. "Okay! I'll be back in a bit. I can feel some deadwood nearby."

Vivi watched happily as Gwen started to walk off. Fox Gwen was pretty, but human Gwen was beautiful. Especially her legs. Shaking her head Vivi stopped to think about what Gwen had said for a moment. "Wait, can you make something sweet tonight?!" Vivi called out after her.

"Sure! The queen restocked my sugar supply, and I see an apple tree too; apple sauce and roast it is!"

Lorna chuckled and shook her head again.

Turning to her friend, Vivi put her hands on her hips. "What?"

"I think there's enough sweetness floating around as it is, but I won't turn it down." Lorna said with a smirk. "I'll help Donovan catch something, you get the tents set up like you said you would."

Blushing again, Vivi looked at the saddlebags and got to work. They didn't really need the tents, with it still being warm and dry when they weren't calling down a rain shower, but the privacy was nice.

One morning of waking up to Lorna watching them sleep in each other's arms with a smirk on her face had been enough.

There was still plenty of her that worried Gwen would leave her, would walk away because she wanted things Vivi couldn't provide. But she would be happy about her time with her amazing girlfriend while she had it. An entire world beyond Azeroth, all that knowledge, and Gwen was trying to replicate pieces of it while doing so much else. It was amazing.

Gwen was amazing.

It didn't take her long to get the tents set up, even if she had to chase down Tricks to steal back one of the tent poles after she stole it, and before long they had eaten and were done relaxing. They had a rescue to plan.

"We have the queen's letter. Why can't we just break in and bust the witch out?" Vivi said, leaning back on her hands and kicking her heels in frustration. It was the simplest solution. Bad guy kidnapped a witch that was helping people, so they should stop him. "With you, me, Gwen, and Magroth there it's not like they could stop us!" Mostly Gwen, but she could help!

Lorna shook her head. "As much as we might want to, we can't just kick down the doors of a church. If the queen herself was with us, perhaps..."

"Not to mention that anyone aware of what we were after would probably just use her as a hostage." Gwen grumbled, her brows knitted together as she thought. Even if she was being serious Vivi still found it cute and pretty. "We have to consider what the situation will be like when we get there. It's been a few days, what if more have been caught, or there's already been a fight? If things are tense the best bet could be sneaking anyone being kept prisoner out."

"How?" Lorna asked, "It's not as if any of us are thieves used to skulking in the night."

Gwen slowly and pointedly turned to look at Tricks. "Maybe not, but with Tricks helping me I should be able to sneak in. She's good at hiding and illusions and I'm... getting there. I'd definitely want backup if things went badly, though."

"I can do that!" Vivi exclaimed, throwing a hand in the air. "Have Lorna show off the letter from the queen, distracting them while you go in, and I wait for a signal to help bust you out?"

Vivi's heart skipped an entire beat as Gwen smiled at her.

"That sounds good. We might have to change it when we get there, but it's the start of a plan."

"There's still Magroth and the other witches to consider, but I can't see an issue with the framework." Lorna finished.

Gwen's hand found hers as they kept talking, entangling their fingers. It felt good to be able to take part, even if she wasn't the most useful or powerful. The praise she had gotten from the queen had felt hollow by comparison; she hadn't won even once against Queen Mia's guards when they weren't taking it easy on her.

-oOoOo-

"Bishop Terner!" Liam cried, bellowing as loud as he could as he stopped in front of Duskhaven's chapel. He remembered coming here much as a boy with Mother, where they would listen to sermons on the purpose of the light to aid and guide people, witness miraculous healing gifted to those that needed it most by the bishop, and be offered teacakes by a man his father called friend. He remembered the once-good bishop of Duskhaven fondly, but that could not stand in the way of doing what was right. "You have kidnapped one of Gilneas' citizens, one who was performing a service to our people! Come out! Come out and explain yourself to the crown!"

His personal guards, taken from Greymane Manor without Father's permission, stood at a distance. Far enough to give him space to speak yet close enough to intervene should the worst come to pass. It was a balancing act; a prince must not place himself in undue danger, but he also must not appear afraid lest his foes take advantage of that weakness.

But he did not fear for his safety at all. At his side stood a steel-clad giant, one of the vaunted Paladins of the Silver Hand, Magroth the Defender. A man whose very presence instilled a sense of being protected and secure, that nought could harm him so long as the paladin lived.

"It is the action of a coward, one who knows the guilt of their actions, to hide away from those who confront them." Magroth said, his voice somehow carrying further than Liam's own despite not raising it at all.

There was little delay before the doors to the chapel opened, nervous acolytes pulling them aside before one shuffled out. "Prince Greymane, the bishop–"

"I have heard the excuses the bishop gave to Mayor Armstead." Liam cut the man off, frowning deeply at the man. "I care not that the woman was a witch. Even if she was not serving my mother's, the queen's, remit, her imprisonment would be unlawful. The church does not dictate what is a crime within Gilneas and there is no punishment for wielding magic within our fair nation."

"And the coward's acts are in breach of even your own Dawn of Law." Magroth said calmly, his shining gaze causing the acolyte to flinch. "He must know this."

The acolyte swallowed, bobbing his head. "Yes, we all know, but–"

"But this witch is one I know to have committed crimes." Bishop Terner hissed, striding out of the chapel. "You say there is no punishment for wielding magic, even dark magic, in our nation, prince. Yet what is the punishment for poisoning a young girl, rotting her mind and leaving her nothing more than a husk out of petty hatred? Or destroying property by blighting crops?"

"A bold accusation." Liam said, unable to put aside the seed of doubt that Aderic had kept some things about Alys from them. "But even if it were proven to be true, such is not the purview of the church. It is for the king and the courts to decide justice, not you."

"I have spent time amongst the witches, Bishop Terner. I have met and witnessed the goodness of their hearts." Magroth shook his head sadly, his disappointment palpable. "You assume malice where there is none."

"Where there is none?" Bishop Terner seethed. "Hah! My sister died, a girl of ten murdered, because that woman poisoned her. You say there is no malice when she broke my family?!"

Liam noted that Magroth was frowning and shook his head. "Bishop, your sister still lives. As does your father. We have always–"

"Living?! You cannot call someone who can scarcely feed herself living!"

Magroth raised a hand placatingly. "My good bishop, perhaps if–"

"No! Whatever dark magic that witch used on my sister, whatever she filled that potion with to poison her, I will have my answer!" Bishop Terner swiped his hand decisively, fury written across his face. "Even if you have all bought into their lies, I have not. I will expose this cult's dark magic and protect our fair nation from them. Your father would not deny me this. You, Prince Liam, overstep your position."

Forcing down his anger at the insult, Liam eased off the grip on his rapier. It was hard to reconcile the kindly man who offered treats to children with a wistful smile to the fury before him. "In this, I know my father's mind better than you, Terner." Liam said testily. "Surrender the witch unto us and we shall consider your accusations carefully. Do not–"

"And let her roam free? I can see the dark magic around you, prince, you and the false paladin!" Bishop Terner's eyes blazed with Light as he drew himself up to his full height. "I will not permit you to enter my church, nor shall I allow you to free a demon-worshipping whore to corrupt more innocents. No matter the idiocy of the archbishop or your buffoon of a grandfather for repealing the just laws that protected us from them!"

Liam's rapier had already left its sheath, pointed directly at the priest. His eyes were narrowed and he dearly wished to order the attack, to see the spectre of a man he once respected put down.

Instead, he spoke. "I offer clemency to those that see reason. The bishop has offered treason; in his professed intent to usurp the will of the crown, to act against the laws of the land, and in his accusations against the royal family. Abandon him now and escape this madness."

"No matter the truth of the bishop's claims, the prince speaks true." Magroth said, lifting his hammer from where he had planted it and hefting the immense weapon with one hand easily. "Though we who serve the Light aspire to greater purpose, we must still obey the laws of the land and the will of its rulers. I, Magroth the Defender, Paladin of the Silver Hand and ordained by Uther the Lightbringer himself, shall see all here, be they a lofty bishop or earthbound witch, brought to justice and given a fair trial according to the laws of Gilneas."

As a good two-thirds of his acolytes, including many who had remained within the chapel and only peered out cautiously, abandoned his side and slunk away from him Bishop Terner's expression fell. For a moment, Liam thought he might surrender also and put an end to this mess. That he might offer an apology, for one would be necessary, rather than forcing him to put his father's friend to the sword.

But, it was not to be.

Scowling fiercely, the bishop hissed at the retired soldiers who served as guards for the chapel, grabbing one and dragging him back through the door. Only four acolytes, a priest, two priestesses, and a lesser sister remained with him and the three guards as they started to close the door.

Liam had already begun charging, his action spurring his men on to follow, but his movement had been preempted by Magroth; the steel giant speeding ahead and catching one of the heavy oaken doors before it could close.

"No." Magroth grunted. "You shall not shelter from justice in a holy place, bishop."

"Get him out!" The bishop ordered, magic forming in his hands and blasting into Magroth who didn't even flinch.

"Light give me strength." Magroth spoke, the words resonating strangely. With a shove he forced the door open entirely, batting away the spears of the guards as he advanced.

One stood in his path, only to be struck true by the hammer and knocked flying.

As Magroth strode forward another slipped around him, seeking to thrust at Magroth's cowled head from behind. He was stopped as Liam reached him, skewering his arm with his rapier; the dwarf-forged blade almost sang as it tore through the chailmail the guard wore and came away bloody.

With a well-practised swipe, even if this was only the third time Liam had experienced true combat, he cut at the guard's leg from behind before pushing him over. Drawing his pistol from his hip he aimed and shot at the priest who was weaving a spell; be it healing or smiting, it died in their throat as the bullet pierced their chest and they collapsed with a gurgle of blood.

"Roland!" A priestess screamed, staring at the priest in horror and halting her own attempt at spell casting.

"See to your fellow." Liam ordered the priestesses with a glare, keeping half an eye on the downed guard until his own men caught up with them. They put their blades to the necks of those that hadn't abandoned the bishop, and moved to intercept the last temple guard who was still trying to impede Magroth. They were, however, understandably wary of stepping into the magical combat the pair were engaged in.

A blindingly bright blast of Light broke over the paladin, the faint sound of meat sizzling and the horribly acrid scent of flesh burning filled the air. Yet, Magroth was undaunted.

He paused for just a moment, holding his hammer high, and Light washed over him and the sound ceased. Then he struck, a hammer blow crashing into a scintillating barrier that surrounded the bishop.

"You are no paladin! A paladin would cleanse evil, not protect it!" The bishop yelled, backing away as best he could as Magroth's hammer crashed into his shield once more. His hands glowed and a ring of Light formed around him, only to flood out across the entire room as he roared. "Guards, stand and do your duty!"

At the feet of the priestesses the priest’s wound sealed over, the bullet forced from his flesh by the healing magic. His eyes snapping to the guard that had been tossed aside, Liam pointed his rapier – only for one of his Father's soldiers to preempt his order.

"Sit tight!" Sergeant Willow gleefully sang as she smacked the guard upside the head with her halberd before he could rise. Even healed as they had been, the bishop's followers were too badly outnumbered to interfere in his fight.

A resounding warble sang out as Magroth's hammer slammed into the bishop’s shield once more, almost eerie as it echoed in the hall of the chapel. "The Light does not make one good, just as being a witch does not make one evil." Magroth said plainly, his voice firm but calm as he struck a second time, and then a third. "One's actions make that course plain. You sought revenge, not justice, and that has clouded your vision."

"My revenge is just!" Bishop Terner screamed, calling the light so brightly that Liam was forced to avert his gaze.

One last warble came forth as the shield was struck for a fourth time, only to cease as it popped like a bubble formed of soap. Then, there was a crunch and an anguished cry.

When Liam looked back the bishop was on the ground bleeding from a broken nose, and Magroth's fist was bloodied.

The paladin planted his weapon on the ground, kneeling beside it, and placed a hand over the bishop's face as a faint glow of Light seeped through his gauntleted fingers. "He shall live to stand trial." Magroth said, then let out a sad sigh and pulled back his cowl to reveal a series of red burns that seared his left eye, which he set to healing. "I had truly hoped he would see reason. Blood should not have been spilled in a place sacred to the Light."

"Should've just left the witch to rot." One of Liam's men muttered.

Feeling his own unease at their actions, and glancing down at the priest he had shot who was staring up at him with wide eyes and bloodied lips, Liam couldn't find it in himself to fault the man for his words.

"It should not have had to be." Liam agreed with Magroth. "But all are subject to the laws of Gilneas, be they peasant, noble, bishop, or prince. None have died, and for that we should be thankful."

So long as the Fox Speaker hadn't done anything foolish while he was ensuring the safety of the captive witch they had committed this affront against the Light for.

-oOoOo-

Aderic sniffed at the air of the stone passage, his ears flicking back and forth as he listened to the sound of the argument outside. The trail to find Alys was simple enough, no others in this place smelled of the earth and forest like she did, but he still had to be cautious. Wrapping himself up in Lord Renard's grace he crept past an open door, one eye watching the pair of children praying quietly inside.

They didn't notice him, nor did he have any reason to bother them. While he held some animosity towards the church it wasn't enough to ever take it out on children.

Following the faint scents of Alys that wafted through this place he passed a number of other, empty, sleeping chambers. Many were simple and barren, some empty entirely, but only one had a man standing outside. With silent steps he moved as close as he dared; blessed by the fox or not he wasn't truly noticeable.

He waited until they were distracted, looking towards the argument outside – which had turned to shouting – before turning to his human form.

It had been many a year since he had done anything like this, and the old familiar feeling left a faint thrill in his old bones, but his hand still reached into his pouch and withdrew a pinch of powder on instinct. With a soft breath it drifted over to the guard, who noticed him just in time to turn and breathe in deeply at the wrong moment, his attempt to yell and raise his cudgel interrupted by a yawn and lazy blink.

Then, he leaned to the side as he blinked rapidly. Bracing himself against a wall, he sank to the floor in a drowsy silence.

"Hmm, still simple as ever." Aderic said smugly. Still, it wouldn't do to kill someone; even if they deserved it – which he wasn't yet sure they did – he was sure the paladin would take offence, so he situated the now sleeping guard on his back where he could breathe freely.

The door, irritatingly, was locked. Unexpected since this wasn't some prison and simply a repurposed residence for... whatever it was they called apprentice priests. Novititats or something.

Of course, despite the lack of a key a wooden door was hardly an impediment to him. Living or not, he was an old witch who knew his way around a bit of wood. With a hand pressed against the door he twisted and shrank it, stirring the wood to life just enough to alter its shape such that the latch fell away and the lock was useless.

Pushing the door open he was greeted by an angry and defiant glower. Alys' normally pristine face was marked badly by black and purple bruises, her hair was matted and had clumps torn from it, and there were tears in her clothes under which the red scores of a whip could be seen.

Would anyone notice if he stepped on the guard's throat as he left? A simple and unfortunate accident, one sadly unpreventable.

"Alys," he said, watching as the surprise and relief overtook the anger in Alys' gaze, "I'm here to rescue you."

"'Bout damn time." She croaked through bruised lips. "Proved Meredith right."

Aderic grimaced, but shook his head in denial as he moved to free her from the bonds that tied her wrists and feet. "Considering that a paladin fights for your freedom at this moment, this proves little more than that the church has their own Meredith and Alwyn."

Alys scowled, then hacked up and spat at his feet. "Weren't her."

"She admitted plainly to her own guilt." Aderic said, ignoring the exact part of the matter to which she was referring. "I do not begrudge you for carrying her things to her, but her banishment stands. You are to have no contact in the future lest her fate becomes your own."

"I know. Now hurry up and get me out of here. Been long enough already."

Even using healing magic, which was hardly either of their specialities, Alys wasn't up for walking unaided. Though she was up to kicking her guard a few times as they passed, which he made a point of ignoring. As they traced his path back out of the church they found the children had shut their door; likely in response to the shouting morphing to the clangs and screams of battle.

An acolyte of some sort came running down a corridor, startling as she spotted them, and Aderic snatched a vial from his hip and threw it down the passageway at them. A horrid and nauseating stench broke forth as the glass shattered.

"By the Light!" They screamed, turning and gagging.

"Watchers, fuck, Aderic you fucking–" Alys was somewhat more colourful in her language.

It was fortunate for that woman that Aderic had made sure he had stored away his acids and poisons before embarking on this task. Unfortunate for Alys, who would likely have taken some solace in the woman's screams. Well, louder screams.

She was, after all, screaming quite verbosely about the horrid stench she was experiencing.

"What even was that?!"

"Essence of Skunk." Aderic said, not even bothering to hold his nose. It didn't help at all and he was... about as used to it as it was possible to be. "The potency drops off dramatically after a few feet, thankfully. That priest will not be enjoying life for quite some time."

From his own experience, it clung. It clung to clothes, to body hair, to skin, and even to the inside of one's eyeballs. They at least had been out of the splash radius and would escape shortly.

"Raven's eye, Aderic." Alys wheezed. "Bloody fucking raven's eye. Leave me prisoner rather than making me smell that shit next time."

"I shall keep that in mind." He answered merrily; the sounds of fighting had ended and they were at the side door. Opening it he was greeted by a trio of the prince's royal guards. "Good lady, one captured witch rescued." He said, passing her off onto them much to Alys' displeasure. "Now, dear boy, if you could go inform the prince and Sir Magroth that my part is finished I would appreciate it."

Stretching out his back Aderic smiled. It had been far too long since he got up to something that got his blood pumping. That it was alongside – well, technically alongside them – a paladin and a prince? That only made it more fun.

"As you say, Speaker Longtooth."

"Fucking watch it!" Alys snapped at the guard helping her walk. "Still tender from where those fuckers whipped me."

"My apologies."

Maybe if he moved fast enough he could see the bishop get slapped around. That sounded like it would be quite satisfying.

-oOoOo-

Her heart in her throat, Trix tried not to fidget or pull at the overly fine dress she wore and did as she had been bid, conjuring another faint star from the skies above and setting it drifting about the room where it joined dozens of others. This one finished the wing of the Raven constellation, the birth sign of the one she was entertaining, and left it alongside the Kraken whose year they were now in.

"Pretty!" Princess Tess giggled as she jumped after the faint little star as it floated upwards. "So pretty, Mother! Look! It's my const... conta... my sign!"

"So it is," Queen Mia said fondly, smiling at her daughter's exuberance, "I used to stargaze with your father when I was carrying you, and the constellation of the Raven featured prominently. The observatory at the manor is a truly wonderful place."

"Can I see my sign there?!" The princess asked, whipping around to look at the queen. "Not little, but big!" Spreading her arms as wide as she could she gestured upward. "Big in the sky!"

Queen Mia chuckled softly. "Not yet, Tess. In six more years you can; it is just the Kraken this year. When you're twelve."

Breathing softly, Trix was tempted to try and sneak away. To escape the situation her teacher had put her in; why had Gwen asked the queen to look after her until Darius returned to Crowford?! She could've stayed with Rachel! She could have kept helping!

She did want to see her mum and dad, she missed them, but better to wait a few extra weeks than have to watch every little thing she did around the queen.

The princess pouted, her lower lip trembling for several moments, until it was clear it wouldn't change her mother's declaration. Trix's heart froze as the princess turned to her, sidling up and tugging at the absurdly expensive dress the queen had forced her to wear. "Witch, witch, can you do more magic? Like the rain? I like the rain! It smells nice. I missed it until it started again. Oh, oh, could you make me a rainbow?"

There was something about the soulful eyes of the princess that terrified Trix. No matter how cute or imploring they were. Maybe it was the knowledge the little girl could ask for her head and get it, or maybe just because it was a reminder she was trapped in this situation.

Glancing at the queen, who was clearly still amused, Trix found no protection there. Nor amongst the soldiers that were guarding the royal pair. "I, um, I can– yes, your majesty. I can do that. I made it rain with Gwe– my teacher, Gwyneth Arevin. Um, but I can't make a rainbow, maybe..."

"It is Your Highness for a princess," Queen Mia corrected gently, smiling in a way that seemed friendly but only made Trix more afraid, "Your Majesty is for myself or my husband. Or perhaps foreign royalty, if you are ever to meet them."

"I hope not!" Trix blurted, covering her mouth with her hands in an instant. "Your Majesty, I hope not. I like Gilneas and never want to leave! You're my only queen!"

The queen didn't seem to take any offence at her blunder and outburst, but she was good at hiding her emotions, so who knew what she was thinking! The princess, on the other hand, started giggling. Then pulling on the sleeves of the dress again.

"Let's go outside! All the flowers are pretty again and it's pretty. It was all dry and dusty and smoggy and nasty and icky and... and stuff!" Princess Tess declared. "Then it rained and it was nice again. Let's go play!"

Trix had no choice but to follow the wilful little princess as she was dragged out and about. Oh watchers, why couldn't Gwen have taken her with her?!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Beta'd by Trestira